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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1979-09-06, Page 3arn res more frequent , Seaforth firemen were • Damage in the blaze was called out to two firs last estimated' to be $75,000, week when twolarge which included the Dublin area barns, both complete loss of the large filled with hay and grain, steel barn and its con - were dev ,stated .by fire. • tents of hay and grain. The Htiron Expositor Fortunately,, the dairy herd was grazing in a field at the time of the fire and neighbors were able to save a number of pieces of milking equipment. On August 22, another barn was destroyed in a hour -and -a -half at the farm, of Joseph Lane, RR 2, Dublin. Heat was so reported that on August 24 firemen ' answered a call to the farm of Roy Deuerman, RR. 1, Dublin where the dairy barn was found engulfed in flames. The barn ,was beyond saving, but ,firemen concentrated their efforts on saving the surroun- ding buildings, a calf shed and driving shed. ( stuck in the middle intense trulru- the blaze that the Lanes were unable to save 55 pigs inside the barn. Also lost in the $8.0,000 fire were 3,500 bushels o f grain and 3,500 bales of- hay, fhay, a quantity of straw and .farm implements including a new plow and hay wagon. Seaforth Fire Chief Harry Hak told The Expositor that he couldn't recall two such serious barn fires in one week in the time he had been with the fire department. Shelley by mcphee It's basically an intent interest in people that makes this job exciting. People really amaze me. I'm constantly meeting many different people, male and female of all age groups who each are unique in their thoughts, interests and at- titudes. With some personal analysis on my part, I can sometimes reason why people say the things they do and why they 'feel the way they do. In an attempt to a responsible journalist and a respected person, I sincerely try to maintain a friendly and caring approach to the people I deal with in my daily duties as a, reporter. Often, I am generously repaid for this by individuals or .associations who have appreciated the work 1 have done. An occasional com- pliment, whether it be in the form of a letter or a passing comment on. the street, really helps to boost my morale and makes me feel that perhaps__ the, work, -I am doing is worthwhile. At other times, criticism seems to abound. I'm basically a sensitive person and harsh words dent my confidence and security :and until they are rectified, I am not at rest. Contrary to some people's beliefs, I do not have any sadistic tendencies. I find little joy in covering any personal tragedies, whether it be a fatal car crash, a devastating fire or,gathering correct informationon a death for an obituary. In fact, my stomach churns at thesudden wailing of the fire siren and my body shakes at the site of an unfortunate accident. However, coverage of such events is necessary. Some people have said to me "Why do you always, cover the bad news?" But, I have -no control over society's desire to know of unfortunate events. It's not a cruel, uncaring desire on society's. part. Curiosity is merely an embedded human characteristic, and not much can be done to change it at this stage. Just look at the number of people who swarm'after the fire truck as it answers an alarm. -If we ignore coverage _of tragic events, people will learn of it through other media sources or merely by hearsay, Which often loses it's accuracy somewhere along the line of conversation. Quite often, we use coverage of accidents and fires as a warning to others. We always attempt to state the causes of these in hopes that our readers will take extra precautions to avoid similiar tragedies themselves. Noting that wearing seat belts, driving within the speed limit and care taken in poor weather con- ditions may have prevented an accident, is given as warning to others. Adequate insurance coverage, keeping children away from in- flammable objects and hot grease may prevent or ease the tragedy of fire. My real purpose as a journalistis not to sensationalize personal disaster or to condemn human errors. It is, to accurately report all the known, necessary facts, to create a clear objective account. I do not control how the readers will acceptthis information. I have no personal vendettas against anyone and do not pur- posely distort the truth. On oc- casion a subject may be misquoted and information incorrectly stated. This in not done knowingly nor is it a sign of my incompetence. Such errors only result when fn- formation is not clearly or correctly presented to me or I unintentionally 'incorrectly present . the information, usually due to lack of time since deadlines must be met, regardless of the situation. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a conscientious reporter, doing the best that I can to report the truth. Perhaps some feel that this is not enough, and my best efforts lack credibility, but I cannot change these feelings, only attempt to do the job to the best of my ability, so at least I rest, contented that I have given my best efforts. • This is not a personal testimony or an attempt to make excuses for myself. I have learned that to deal with the public, is to sometimes accept criticism and that as a person. I am far from perfect and _sometimes wrong. This attitude has been established through the feelings of the paper I work on. We willingly correct any glaring errors on our part, for we feelthat this ad- mittance keeps us humble and human, not a step above our readers. I recall one of my journalist professors once saying that any paper that doesn't make mistakes, or doesn't admit to them, is not making a full hearted attempt. No one is perfect. But people aren't as cruel as I may have suggested. I'm not ridden with complaints every time I fill a space in the newspaper. In fact, I will modestly admit that more than often I am com- plimented on the job I have done. It's just that in my mind, criticism against my work stands out stronger than compliments. But perhaps this isn't so bad, at least I realize my flaws. Historically speakirtg The Doherty House -1898 Although now encroached upon by the many new houses, which have been built on its former property, the house still looks out on the world with its - air of 1 patrician elegance. Surrounded by trees and beside a. large pond the exuberant facade of the house t completely justifies its nickname of 'The Castle'. . The house originally occupied_a large -part of the seven acre site purchased from James Steep by William Doherty in 1898. Doherty was the founder of the Doherty Organ and Piano Company, an industry which for many years was Clinton's largest, and which still perpetuates its name alt, over Canada and the United States. William Doherty was born in Grey County but spent most of his life in Huron. By the early 1870's he was a dealer in furniture and sales representative for the Bell Organ Company. In 1875 he „began to manufacture on a limited scale, organs, in rooms over` the present. Ball and Mutch Furniture Store. In 1876 he built a small building on the west side of Raglan Street between Princess and Rattenbury. Over the next 20 yeas the firm gradually expanded until by 1897 the factory, located at the corner of Princess and(-Raglan,was a four storey building, lighted by incandescent lights, the first in Clinton. The factory then was employing 40 men and producing between two and three hundred organs per month. Then on February 1, 1898 the entire complex of buildings along with Doherty's residence were destroyed by fire. In April of the same year he purchased the site on East Street and work began on his new factory and house. The house was built to reflect both his position as Clinton's number one manufacturer and as one of the larger manufacturers of organs in Canada. The house is in the' R ichardson Romanesque style, so named for the leading American architect who first adapted Romanesque - architecture to the nineteenth century. The house is composed of a main block with a kitchen wing 'at the rear. The red brick facade consists of a number of surfaces to give a subtle use of light and shade, a feature of the Richardson Romanesque style: To the left is a projecting wing, with curved sides and raised pilasters on, either side of the main windows. On the pilasters rest a jutting attic storey balcony. The balcony itself has squat pillars which support the elaborate wood tracery gable. On the right side of the facade rises the three storey tower, with its magnificent wood cupula. The double front door is sur- mounted by a porch with red brick pillars topped with white carved capitals. Above the main door is the second floor balcony which is enclosed with a wide Romanesque arch. The interior of the house is typical of the period, with the one outstanding feature being the central staircase. Built of oak, it •has a newel post which features a cluster of squat columns resting on a massive plinth with a hexagonal top. The balusters are also com- posed of squat columns with heavy, base and railings. Altogether a most beautiful and unusual staircase. The other feature of the house is the elaborate oak corner fireplace in the rear parlor, with turned side columns and carved woodwork. William Doherty continued to reside in the home until the time of his death in 1924. He had 'retired from the management of • the company some time earlier and the factory itself was sold in 1920..After his death the family held the house until 1931. After this the house passed through several owners, and for the past while has stood empty. It has recently been sold and we hope that once again the house will reflect the pride of ownership with whichit was built. (Historically Speaking will now run as a monthly feature in the News -Record. The next column will be printed at the end of Sep- tember). LJNTQN NEWS-RECQRU). TI-It,1R$DAY, SEPTE OBER 6 ,1979. PAGE 3 . *from page 1 standing committee or a committee of the whole, 'at provincial levels. In either ease, the public and the press is allowed to sit in. and ,report .on the .proceedings and debate. Sornetitnes. the committees will go • into an in- amera. session where delicate issues or trade secrets' will be discussed in private. Often after • all open discussion has taken place, com- mittees will again'meet in private to write the report, However, Mr. Riddell noted, that this session is not necessarily the most important one since th.e public and.the press have been welcome to sit in on any previous discussion or debate, Mr, Fitzgerald noted that he recently had heard a Toronto lawyer Peter Grant explain that the Upper Canada Law Society has protested to the the federal and provincial governments to abolish closed meetings, except in matters of real. estate or \personnel. The Canadian government is presently studying the Sunshine Laws and Freedom Of . Information -Act, and if passed, would allow the public and press access to closed committee meetings. "This is public money, being spent in the name of the public. Why the secrecy?" Mr. Fitzgerald is questionning. "Clinton enjoys one of the highest tax rates in the county, don't you think we should know how our money is spent? I give my money, but have no idea where it's going," he added. "I'm not seeking privileges as a newspaper- man, I'm only trying to be a watchdog for the public," he said. While closed meetings have been the established and the traditional practice in Clinton council for a number of years, there seems to be some discrepancy amongst' the council members themselves as to the the need of these meetings. Some remain firm in their belief that closed meetings are necessary while others, some hesitantly, told the News - Record this week that they are op- posed to such procedures. "It was not my idea to have closed meetings, it was council's decision," Mayor Lobb admitted. When I was first elected I wanted open meetings but council thought there should be closed sessions too." "Councillors feel that -they can talk more openly when the press or the public isn't present. But, there's no reason to be afraid to speak out. He further added, "Budget should be' discussed in open council. That way we would get a complete report instead of some points being discussed at committee meetings." Councillor McKay feels that budget could be discussed in open or closed session. "As far as I'm concerned it's the most boring meeting of the year," he said. "I don't think we keep the press in the dark," he went on. "The press doesn't intimidate me." Councillor McKay feels that the present council meeting procedure is fine. The purpose of committee meetings is to discuss personnel, finances and real estate and to come to some consensus for open council.. "At times closed meetings are necessary, but I'd be a liar if it didn't admit that in Brantford (the previous municipality that he served in) we had more- open than closed meetings," Councillor Archibald said. - "I have no objection to the budget being discussed in open council, but people.seenn to resist change." He went on, "Council sometimes thinks that they'll be misquoted, but they have no reason to think that: It seems that. closed meetings are an established procedure hereand it would-be a shaking affair for°them to have it all changed." Deputy Reeve Ernie Brown said that Clinton council needs closed meetings, "Some of the councillors won't speak out in open council even when you know they think differently. There are enough closed meetings and everything's running pretty good. But I believe in everything being brought out in the open though and the budget should be done in open coucil. Nothing should be kept,, from the public." Councillor Frank Van Altena sees things a little differently. "There are issues always popping up that should be discussed privately and there are things that the public shouldn't know." 1 Councillor Van Altena would dot specifically mention any of the delicate issues that are discussed behind closed doors, but did note that he was on the fire area board. "Some of these things should be brought out to the public afterwards, but if we didn't have closed meetings the only alternative would be to close a portion of the open meeting," , he explained. According to Reeve Royce Macaulay, there are few con- troversial issues discussed at com- mittee meetings. "The closed sessions are. used to discuss correspondence:We get some background information and discuss requests and eventually this is brought out to open council." "If we discussed all the correspondence in open council, we'd be there for days." Reeve Macaulay, sees noreason why budget can't be dealt with in open session. "There's nothing to the budget. It's simple, you can either pay for it or you can't pay for it," he explained. "Sometimes I think the press criticism is not true, but I won't lose sleep over it," he commented. Councillor Rosemary Armstrong was unavailable for comment, however, in the pastshe has often voiced her objections to closed meeting policies. Councillor Roy Wheeler was also unavailable for comment and one council chair still remains open. However, one `comment that seemed to come from many coun- cillors was that only the committee - of -the -whole is a regular closed session. They placed little importance on the closed door session prior to the open council meeting and many stressed that the two monthly com- mittee meetings are only information sessions for a portion of council. VELOURS SWEATERS BLOUSES PLEATED PANTS ETC.... Variable Term \rurzNirruRE, LIGHTING, WA LL CV One Twenty Eight Allen 70 6Nl'ARiOCLINtoN s y 46,3447 OLD 1Ci*N Na':�. etniN EXETEil 215,0640